| The beach cruiser scene has been heating up | | | | fancy mountain bike or speed racing bike for $500, |
| recently, with more brands and brighter colors hitting | | | | when you know you are out of shape, and not going |
| the market. Cruisers provide a very comfortable ride | | | | more than a couple of miles from your house. It's a |
| while also being affordably priced. Basic Beach Cruiser | | | | lot cheaper to have the mechanics in a shop |
| bikes are available for under $90, plus shipping, on the | | | | assemble your beach cruiser, and making sure that it |
| Internet. It can be a lot of fun to buy these, and | | | | is safe. You are going to have to get acquainted with |
| then assemble them the way that you want to, if | | | | your local bike shop if you do any serious kind of |
| you have the mechanical ability. All the really tough | | | | biking, if you put on a good amount of miles a week. |
| parts, like the gears are assembled already. Try | | | | You are better off saving them for putting optional |
| different types of fenders, from Chrome, to | | | | features on your bike and for help with routine |
| different colors. You can have standard handlebars, | | | | maintenance. Options can run anywhere from |
| or even get chopper style straight handlebars. A plain | | | | designer labels electric night lights to rear-view |
| old beach cruiser bike is good too. I find this to be a | | | | mirrors, to wider fenders that have enough surface |
| great way to go to stores to buy small purchases up | | | | to paint some angels or devils on. And a bell or horn |
| to about 1 ½ miles away. I personally don't like | | | | can be useful, especially if you have been sneaking |
| a metal front basket, I think it is not that cute for a | | | | on the sidewalk, and you want those pedestrians up |
| guy to have, so I put my purchases in a backpack. | | | | ahead to get out of the way. |
| Saving gas by avoiding using your car can save you | | | | Be aware that if you are doing any sort of speed |
| some real money too. | | | | biking you must wear a helmet, which is not that |
| Probably, the best deal is if your neighbor or | | | | much fun. You can wear a helmet with a beach |
| someone down the block is selling one in a yard sale. | | | | cruiser too, but I think it is optional. Don't worry too |
| Then you are all set to get one for under $30. | | | | much is your beach cruiser bike has 7-speeds or no |
| Beware that once these bikes, like any bike, become | | | | speeds, because even in the hilly country of the |
| rusty, they have to be lubricated. And that means | | | | North Bronx, NY, at the speeds I am going, it doesn't |
| not only the chain and the brakes, but the inner | | | | make that much of a difference. And whether you |
| lubrication of the pedals and even things like the | | | | have multi-speeds or not, you better have a pretty |
| handlebars, which just proves the old adage that it is | | | | strong pair of legs to get up a big hill, otherwise, |
| hard to get something for nothing. The key thing to | | | | either way you are going to end up walking up it. |
| avoid is going into a pro-bike shop and getting some | | | | |